Birthday Bummer

 I was just standing around in the alley, which always has some action with kids playing some kind of street game or riding their bikes. This time there was a birthday party and they had the house decorated inside for a young child just 3 years old. They kindly invited me in where the mother was making plates with a small banana, a slice of cake, and a small chocolate. The kids were wearing these cute birthday hats and for this family it was special having a cake. They had sleeping areas on the floor where the kids would sleep and the father looked like he just came home from work.

Their home was so small, but their hearts were so big.

I am playing on the street with the children and they are starting to get the firecrackers all set up. They are so happy just laughing and playing....why take their joy away from them when they are just trying to enjoy a special day.

Unfortunately, a neighbor came to rain on the parade saying that “they are making too much noise.” There is a disagreement going back and forth between the two mothers. The lady is saying that if she has firecrackers then everyone in the neighborhood is going to start doing the same thing and the firecrackers just make too much noise-it is "setting a bad example." She is so rude, but it is not my place to speak up and say anything so I just sit there playing with the kids and avoiding eye contact with her. I am thinking to myself, "Lady, please save your speech for another day and just let these kids enjoy a birthday party."

My heart is broken for this mother and family who were just trying to celebrate. My friend pulls up on his motorcycle and he asks me what is going on and then he gets involved, which makes sense because it is his neighborhood and his place. He tried to mediate the situation telling the mother that the kids will have to stop the firecrackers and it just totally ruined the whole vibe...I just stood there and felt so bad and he was like "Come Pri- hop and lets go."

He asked me what I wanted to do and we discussed going to a movie or just taking a ride around town. We did not have a plan, but God made a plan as we were biking on the other side of town and we happened to come across a concert in the main square with live performances-singing, comedy, magic, and dancing with everything in lots of kids singing in Kannada or Hindi. It was like "India's got talent" in the middle of RT nagar and I was very entertained. My friend knew I was enjoying it so he entertained my joy as the only tourist swimming in a pool of locals.

All the locals sat in the audience with their kids laughing and enjoying. It was special just watching these cultural and pop culture performances. The kids in costume and traditional wear always melt my heart. They had a large pooja area with the deities or Gods of Shiva that came out only 1 to 2 times a year. We walked down this busy street with all kinds of food, traditional clothing/souvenirs, pets, spices, and every service you could imagine. We had a really nice time and ended up stopping to get a spicy chicken kebab from the local spot, which is a treat for both of us who do not really eat after 8pm.

I was very hesitant to order, but I said to the cashier, "How good is this kebab? Is it real spicy or ok spicy?" He is laughing and Praveen is laughing as I am on my entertainment skit of the night.

"You are going to love it." says the manager.

This place was always very busy and it had all kind of kebab wraps that were made super fresh as I could see the chickens rotating in front of me and I watched them make the wraps. I just wish mine had more chicken and less sauce, but I am a hard girl to please. I just smiled and let them think I was excited about the best kebab ever! lol


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